was humming along with no problems. recently purchased office 2010 and needed to upgrade to xp sp3 to install. installed sp3, now cannot connect. also cannot turn on windows firewall.when i attempt to turn on windows firewall i get the following message:windows cannot start the windows firewall/internet connection sharing (ICS) servicehave read a few other solutions but some seem beyond my skill level and/or are related to an sp2 upgrade. wanted to know if there was a more current solution. any help greatly appreciated.

Try installing this way.If SP3 was downloaded with an anti-virus, or anti-spyware, program running, you may have a bad installation.From: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsxp/cc164204.aspx* If the configuration of your antivirus software prevents certain system files from being changed, SP3 installation might fail. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus software. You can usually do this by right-clicking your antivirus program icon (which typically appears in the bottom right-hand corner of the computer screen) and clicking Disable.* If you disable your antivirus software before you install the service pack, be sure that you are aware of the risks involved, and be sure to enable it after the service pack is installed.Remove SP3 via Add/Remove Programs, reboot and download and install it again. Use the download link below, not windows updates. Save the download and then install it. Before you install, turn off your anti-virus and any anti-spyware programs such as Windows Defender. If you use a third party firewall, disable it and turn on the Windows Firewall in the Control Panel for the installation. Once SP3 is in and working, you can enable the third party firewall and turn of the Windows Firewall. Do not keep both running.Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3http://support.microsoft.com:80/kb/950717WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installationhttp://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/8/cd8cc719-7d5a-40d3-a802-e4057aa8c631/relnotes.htmDownload Windows XP Service Pack 3 herehttp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=enBruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

Bruce - Thanks for the help. I suspected that the security software might be contributing to the problem. Before I read your response I did the following.1) performed a system restore back to the point prior to the SP3 install2) uninstalled my security software (Norton Internet Security)at that point Windows Firewall was working, and I was able to establish an online connection. I assume things were back to normal.I then performed the SP3 install again (using the downloaded version)Once the SP3 install completed the problem remained. The various error messages were essentially the same, although one included "Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start." Don't know if that provides any additional information or not.I've read the articles above. Other than creating an automated system recovery set I was pretty close to following the procedures.At this point I can perform another system restore and go back to the way things were (SP2), but I have a $400 copy of Office 2010 that I've opened and cannot use. I'd like to upgrade to SP3 but am at a loss as to how to make it work.Any suggestions or additional resources would be greatly appreciated!!Jim

Did the problem remain before you reactivated Norton? It wouldn't surprise me in the least that if you got Norton off your machine and retraced the steps above, things might be better. Norton & McAfee are the two least Windows friendly AV software there is.If you want to give that a try, be sure to use this tool.Download and run the Norton Removal Toolhttp://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039If McAfee was ever installed, even as a trial, use this too.McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool three-step fixhttp://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?lc=1033&id=TS100507 If things are working after this, replace Norton. I would siggest Microsoft Security Essentials or Avast. Neither is a resource hog like Norton is.Avasthttp://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.htmlIn the case of Avast, choose Custom Installation and opt out of e-mail scanning when offered.Microsoft Security Essentialshttp://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspxIf you still have issues, I would take this to the Install, Upgrade and Activate Forumhttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xpinstall/threadsBruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

I didn't reinstall Norton. I tried to turn on the Windows Firewall immediately after the sp3 reinstall and that generated the error message. I was able to turn on Windows Firewall before the sp3 install.I could try to use the Norton removal tool and install sp3 again. I suspect I will have the same outcome, though. Thoughts?

I'd take the issue here then.Install, Upgrade and Activate Forumhttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xpinstall/threadsI have no idea what is causing your problem. Sorry, joc512.Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

ok - thanks for your help!

You're welcome. If you don't mind, when you get it resolved, could you post the solution, or a link to the new thread here? I'll be interested in the outcome. Thanks.Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

New Thread: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xpinstall/thread/4b3f9ba1-4288-4a8a-a96b-84c71ffb73b8/Cody C Microsoft Answers Support Engineer Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

New Thread: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xpinstall/thread/4b3f9ba1-4288-4a8a-a96b-84c71ffb73b8/Cody C Microsoft Answers Support Engineer Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.